Treasures of Herbert Armstrong

These pictures are from an auction held in New York City, April 11, 1995 at Christie's.  This was just one of many auctions held in New York and Los Angeles concerning the sale of Herbert Armstrong's collection of gold, silver and fine art.  Much of  the fine art and metalwork were purchased during the time HWA was mailing out letters to the membership demanding that they cut back and send in more money.  The "Work" was always in a state of distress. Many members did indeed sacrifice and mailed in more money.  The result - HWA was on treasure hunting trips to Harrod's in London and other UK locations buying treasures for his three homes and college campuses (St Alban's, England, Big Sandy, TX and Pasadena, CA).

While Mrs. Armstrong was alive and in the early years of the church they lived in a modest house on Hill Ave (now owned by Cal Tech).  When Loma Armstrong died Herb began shedding his 'simple' life style for the extravagant one.  This was also the time Gerald Waterhouse and Dean Blackwell started blabbering that HWA was an Apostle.  And as you all know from the Bible, Apostles were meant to travel around the world speaking to world leaders, give them gifts of Steuben crustal, and play host to them at extravagant dinner parties at the various campus homes.  Apostles were ordained by God to live lives with the finest the earth and humankind has to offer.  This easy justification lead to multiple millions of dollars in extravagance by HWA,  evangelists, faculty, certain department heads and many ministers.


Click on picture to view larger size -

 Elizabeth II Gold Table Service 14 karat

Used at all dinners in HWA's dining room

Auction estimate $50,00-80,000

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 Regency Silver-gilt Four Light Candelabra, Benjamin Smith, 1812

These sat on the buffet in the dining room.  They were also used on the dining table.

Auction estimate $80,000-120,000

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George III Silver-gilt Candelabra and matching candlesticks, Paul Storr, 1802

Auction estimate $60,000-90,000

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The Duke of Norfolk's Coronation Cup

William IV Silver-gilt Paul Storr, 1831

Auction estimate $20,000-30,000

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 Regency Silver-gilt Centerpiece, Paul Storr, 1818

The Three Graces occupied the place of distinction on HWA's dining room table.

Auction estimate $30,000-50,000

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Regency Silver-gilt Wine Coolers, Paul Storr 1813

Used to keep the hundred dollar wine bottles cool

Auction estimate  $60,000-90,000

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 A pair of George IV Silver-gilt Wine Coolers 1826

Imagine chilling your wine and champagne at home in these! 

Auction estimate $50,000-80,000

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The sterling silver pictured here is an Elizabeth II Table service. Service for 12.  

This was HWA's everyday silver.

Auction estimate: $10,000-15,000

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While various COGlet's splinter personality cults are idolizing HWA on this the 25th anniversary of his death, I thought I would give you a peek into the apostles lifestyle.

While the membership toiled and struggled in the 60's and 70's HWA was on a spending spree in Europe.  Millions of dollars were dumped over the years to furnish the home of the  end time prophet.  This was all during the time the pleading letters were sent to the members to send in as much money as they could because the work was 'in crisis.'

Of course we had morons that justified these artifacts as necessary for the entrainment of  world leaders and dignitaries coming to hear about a "Strong Hand From Someplace".  Others claimed all these goodies would be used to take care of the brethren as they were struggling in Petra.  These items would buy us food and drink and shelter by the Muslims.

One other idiot in Pasadena claimed that the Pasadena campus would never be destroyed during the tribulation.  The invading armies of Germany would use the Pasadena campus as their military headquarters.  They would be so in awe and taken back by it's beauty that they would not destroy it.  Because of that the Pasadena campus would be the new earthly HQ of God's people when the Kingdom was established.  Never mind that the city is supposed to be Jerusalem, but heck, this is typical WCG mythology and it sounded cool!  Never mind that these armies would be torturing and killing fellow citizen's while they dinned and enjoyed music in the Auditorium.

Click on all pictures to enlarge them. 

This was to keep HWA's roast beef warm.  Estimated value $5,000-$8,000

A Victorian Parcel-Gilt Silver Plated Table for your guests to place their calling cards on. $4,000-$6,000

Set of late 1800's silver centerpiece with glorious naked women on it.  $10,000-$15,000

late 1800's Gold Desert dishes $4,000-$6,000

German Silver Knight   $3,000-$5,000

Pair of German Silver Figures, Sir Lancelot and Lady Guinevere  $10,000-$15,000

Elizabeth II Equestrians  $6,000-$9,000 each

Elizabeth II 14 kt Gold Table Service (This was used for formal dinners) $50,000-$80,000

Sterling Silver Everyday service $10,00-$15,000

Silver Goblet's to drink your Harvey's Bristol Cream In $8,000-$12,000

Set of 22 Silver Dinner Plates $8,000-$12,000

George V Sterling Silver Umbrella Stands $10,000-$15,000

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Updated with final auction prices

More important tools 

that every modern day Apostle needs 

to 

preach the gospel 

about 

"A Strong Hand From Someplace." 

Click on picture once to enlarge, then again for x-large closeup's

 Victorian Gilt Centerpiece  1888

Goddess Ceres in a field of wheat

$8,000-12,000

Sold for $23,300.00

 

Victorian Silver Four-light Candelabra  1857

$20,000-30,000

Sold for $57,500.00 

 Victorian Silver-mounted Frosted-glass Claret Jug and Stand 1845

$4,000 - 6,000

George IV Silver Egg Cruet 1820

$2,500 - 3,500 

(HWA had this on his breakfast table in the kitchen for his soft boiled eggs)
Sold for $27,600.00  

 Victorian Silver-gilt and Agate Desert Service 1854

$3,000 - 5,000
Sold for $4,370.00 

 Victorian Silver Vase 1874

$2,000 - 3,000
Sold for $2,700.00 
Edward VI Silver-gilt Warwick Vase
$5,000 - 8,000
Sold For $5,650.00 

George IV Silver-gilt Wine Coolers 1826

$50,000 - 80,000
Sold for $74,000.00 

Regency Silver Salver 1813

$7,000 - 10,000
Sold for $24,150.00

George IV Silver Tea and Coffee Service 

$10,000 - 15,000
Sold for $16,100.00 

Important Regency Silver-gold gilt Candelabra 1812

$80,000 - 120,000

Sold for $222,500.00

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These items are vital tools for Ambassadors of World Peace!

You too can talk to Mrs. Sadat about a world that is ready to be spanked!

Well, I guess that one came true........

Regency Silver Bowl  1818

Paul Storr

$15,000 - 25,000

Sold for $27,600.00

Regency Silver Soup Tureen, cover and liner

Paul Storr, 1814

$30,000-50,000 

Sold for $28,750.00

Regency Silver-Gilt Wine Coolers

Paul Storr, 1813

$60,000-90,000

Sold for $107,000

George III Silver Tureen and Cover and Stand

Paul Storr, 1809

$40,000-60,000

Sold for $51,750.00

Regency Silver-gilt Centerpice

Paul Storr, 1818

$30,000-50,000

Three Bacchic Nymphs

Sold for $48,300.00

Twelve Regency Silver-Gilt Dinner Plates

Paul Storr, 1815

$30,000-50,000

Not listed as sold

Regency Silver Gilt Salver

Paul Storr, 1815

$2,000-3,000

Sold for $1,950.00

Duke of Norfolk's Coronation Cup

Paul Storr, 1831

$20,000-30,000

Sold for $18,400.00

Regency Silver-gilt Serving Tongs Made For The Prince Regent

Paul Storr, 1811

$6,000-8,000

Sold for $10,350.00

George III Silver Gilt Centerpiece

1803

$15,000-25,000

Sold for $40,250.00

George III Silver-gilt Centerpice

Paul Storr, 1808

$20,000-30,000

Sold for $52,900.00

George III Silver Wine Collers

Paul Storr 1798

$25,000-35,000

Sold for $48,300.00

George III Silver Epergne

1770

$8,000-12,000

Sold for $12,650.00

Charles II Silver Caudle Cup

1667

$3,000-5,000

Sold for $3,680.00

Six Queen Anne Silver Fluted Dishes

1713

$30,000-50,000

Sold for $74,000

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Pictured above is the current price of Louis XIII Remy Martin Grande Champagne Cognac.

This was one of Herbert Armstrong's favorite evening indulgences.  The container  the cognac is in is a baccarat crystal decanter and comes in a velvet lined red case.

At HWA's death there were three of these sitting on his liquor shelves in the basement, along with loads of other expensive alcoholic delights.  Upstairs there were two more in the cabinets.

When HWA was buying these (or should I say the church members were with their tithe money) he was paying around $750.00.  That was in the mid-1980's.  Twenty-five years later the price is running at $2,195.00.  That is one expensive indulgence!  Particularly when he was drinking it out of his St Louis Excellence Cognac/sherry glasses that were appraised at $250.00 each  in 2000.

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The Decline and Fall of US and BC Live on Facebook

What a relief!  We can watch first hand the destruction of the United States, Canada, Britain, Australia and New Zealand all on Facebook!!!!!!!  All of this through the wit and wisdom of the most knowledgeable Church of "god" leader ever.  We are sooooooo blessed!

You will be eternally blessed to know he endorses Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders over Hillary and Ted.  In fact he wants Trump and Sanders to run together on one ticket!

You can join this most amazing Facebook page ever created.  Its also on our favorite topic of British Israelism!  Even though it has been totally debunked by countless people those entrenched in Armstrongism still think it is true and relevant.  Since it has zero meaning to any new covenant Christian, it only is relevant to those entranced in the law.

Decline and Fall of the US and BC 

Read it and weep...or maybe vomit...

Can you guess the name of this church based on the following clues?

I found some old computer disks that had some save messages from the old WCGnet that was a great source of information for following the train wreck that was the Worldwide Church of God through all of the changes.  I don't know who the author was.

Can you guess the name of this church 

based on the following clues?

* It was founded by a businessman who had been raised in another religion and who had little formal education.

* He moved from the mid-West to southern California and became established in the Los Angeles area.

* He claimed to have new insights into scriptural truths for the present age.

* The church was Sabbatarian, millenarian, authoritarian and legalistic.

* The church heavily emphasized predictive prophecy and the imminent return of Christ to establish David's Kingdom in Palestine.

* Members and others who did not measure up to legalistic standards or display adequate zeal were term 'Laodicean'.

* The leader thought of himself as The Elijah and that his role was to restore all things before the return of Christ.

* The church obeyed the dietary laws of Leviticus.

* The church leadership had predicted the return of Christ for a certain date but was wrong.

* The church observed the Old Testament Festivals of Leviticus 23.  In fact, they thought they were very close to primitive, first century Christianity because of this.

* They believed they were the only true church.  The members believed they were  the first fruits and would play a special role in serving God and the nations when Christ returned.

* They published a monthly magazine advocating their beliefs.

* They had a rigid, top down, pyramidal governmental structure.

* Members were required to follow a rigid agenda of Bible study and prayer.

* The young men in the church were conscientious objectors.

* In recent times the heir-apparent, a young man of musical gifts, was involved in sexual scandals involving women in the congregation.

* None of its leaders had acquired any theological education from mainstream Christian colleges.

* They established a church facility in Texas, including a school, near a lake and had an uneasy relationship with the surrounding community.

* Membership was international, multi-ethnic and multi-racial.

* They believed deeply that they lived in the time of The End and their  preaching and spiritual concerns focused on this.  They referred to the secular world as Babylon and were strongly anti-Catholic.

* They believe they could identify the people of the United States as descendants of patriarchs mentioned in Genesis.

This list might go on but the church involved is known as the Branch Davidians, theologically, our first cousins, if not our brothers.  Their lineage may be traced, like the WCG's, to the Millerite Adventist Movement in the Nineteenth Century.  They were at one time known as the Davidian

Seventh-Day Adventist Association.  They differ from us on the last point above in that they believed that the USA was Assyria rather than Manasseh.

I have compiled this list for several reasons:

1. There is a mystique that attaches to the WCG in the minds of many of its members that is a carry-over from the days that we believed that we were the one and only true church.  This is to demonstrate that we were really just another Millerite Adventist group.  Recent articles in the WWN

confirm HWA's foundation in Millerite teaching and the third angels message.  Mrs. HWA dream or vision about the return of Christ and the work that needed to be done (see The Autobiography) is virtually an Adventist cliche in the spirit of Ellen White.  We are not special; we are rather commonplace.

2. We would all readily admit that the Branch Davidians were a cult but somehow, the WCG was not a cult.  How can this be?

3. People cite the fact that the Davidians hoarded weapons and had a shoot out with the ATF and true non-violent church members would not do that. But what would members of the WCG had done if a leader had risen up and said that it was time to go to the place of safety.  Everyone should sell

what they have and buy airline tickets to Jerusalem and with your surplus funds buy tickets for those who cannot afford it.  Might we not have done some extreme things under the circumstances?  The Davidians were traditionally conscientious objectors until they were staring into what they believed was the Apocalypse.  Does anybody remember the account of one of our leaders resorting to fists in the State of California occupation in the late Seventies?

4. We should all be filled with joy that a man, Joseph Tkach, Sr., while riding this train to whatever destruction it might have met, suddenly awakened in his seat, realized what was happening and pulled the emergency brake. Many bewildered passengers got off and had to look for a new train.

But the tragedy is that many stayed on the old train and, like the Davidians, will meet whatever their destiny will be.